Survivor of Salem explosion charged with six ‘reckless’ deaths

A man who survived an explosion that took six lives — including a newborn baby — in his Washington County home last summer was charged Thursday with killing the victims by recklessly releasing propane gas which ignited the deadly blast.

Steven McComsey, 33, of North Creek, was arrested at his home by State Police and arraigned before Judge Kelly McKeighan on an eight-count indictment that could send him to prison for several decades. He faces six counts of second-degree manslaughter — each of which carries 5 to 15 years in state prison upon conviction — and two reckless endangerment charges.

Authorities have said his family was being evicted from the home at the time of the explosion and planned to move out in a matter of days. Friends of McComsey and Palmer have said the couple were days away from moving into a new rental property.

But one person devastated by the blast still does not believe McComsey was responsible.

“I feel bad for him,” said Lawrence Berg Sr., the ex-boyfriend of Palmer. His son, Lawrence, and granddaughter, Niah, were killed. Berg told the Times Union he has experience installing appliances and was familiar with the basement of the home. He does not see any proof to blame McComsey, he said.

“Believe me, if I thought he did it I would like to see him get prosecuted to the fullest,” Berg said. “I just can’t wrap my head around it … I wish they would have just left it alone, say it was accidental and let bygones be bygones.”